AN AIR ambulance was scrambled when a young woman was left injured and stranded after tumbling from a rock face in the Peak District.

The lady was part of a team of climbers who had set out on Saturday afternoon (April 26) to ascend some of the most demanding routes the national park has to offer.

The group, from Macclesfield, were said to be ‘free-climbing’ – without any safety harnesses – when the 27 year old fell, seriously damaging her ankle and leg. The location, Gib Tor, which is between Buxton and Leek, was remote enough to force the County Air Ambulance helicopter from Staffordshire into action.

Jon Cruttenden is a freelance photographer who happened to see the chopper swooping over the plains and went to investigate.

The 42 year old said: "I saw it coming over the horizon so I went over. It was a good 15 minutes away from the road over some tough terrain – there’s no way a vehicle could have got there."

He described the sheer rock face the group were battling as towering like a "huge house".

After setting the multi-million pound aircraft down 100 yards away from the girl, a team of two paramedics raced out over the moorland.

Jon, who took his eight-year-old daughter over to see the slick operation, added: "The girl was just lying there propped up against the rock, she seemed to be in pain, I think she fell over 15 feet. After checking her over, they carefully lifted her on to the stretcher. They were very professional about the whole operation. When they were carrying her away she seemed to be in a state of shock, it was obviously a very painful and traumatic experience."

He said: "I have lived in Leek for over 20 years and often go out into the Peak District – I know how quickly the weather can turn. She is very lucky because if it had been winter or if the wind and rain picked up, she could have been stranded there."

After being airlifted at around 4.30pm on Saturday, she was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. A spokesman for the air ambulance service said: "A 27-year-old female was treated with injuries to the right ankle after a controlled fall.

"It was easier to get there by helicopter due to access problems."

Macclesfield Ranger Service hopes it will serve as a warning to always be vigilant when heading out into the countryside. A spokesman said: "You should always take care of your own safety when going out like this. Wear suitable gear and take sensible precautions."